A dramatic incident unfolded at Telluride Regional Airport in Colorado on Tuesday when a private jet carrying three people was abruptly swept off the runway by a powerful gust of wind. The sudden force struck the aircraft just as it was landing, officials reported.
The San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office detailed that the jet, which had two pilots and one passenger on board, skidded approximately 300 yards beyond the runway, resulting in significant damage across several sections of the plane.
According to the sheriff’s office, the aircraft lost its directional control at around 12:15 p.m., setting off a chain of events that led to the jet veering off course. The pilot recounted to deputies that as soon as the plane’s wheels touched the ground, an intense crosswind gust hit the side of the aircraft, forcing it off its intended path.
“The plane skidded approximately 300 yards and came to rest off the runway on its collapsed landing gear,” the authorities explained in a Facebook post. The intense impact caused the jet to suffer multiple structural damages.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) provided further insight on Wednesday, noting that the midsize Cessna 750, commonly used for long-range business travel, experienced a collapse of its left landing gear upon touchdown. In addition to this, the sheriff’s office mentioned that the nose wheel and one of the wings were also harmed during the incident.
An image of the Cessna aircraft resting off the runway in Telluride captured the aftermath of the unexpected and forceful wind, serving as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of aviation.
Photos provided by the sheriff’s office show the Cessna off a paved runway, resting on snow-dusted grass at what appears to be a rural mountain airport. One wing is seen touching the ground, suggesting possible landing gear damage or collapse.
A single runway stretches across a mountainous field at Telluride Regional Airport on July 8, 2014. (Robert Alexander/Getty Images)
No injuries were reported following the incident, and Telluride fire crews responded to the scene to examine the passenger and crew members, according to the authorities.
“All occupants were able to self-extricate and there are no reported injuries,” the sheriff’s office said.
Officials said there was no fire or smoke, but the airport was closed following the crash.
Photos provided by the sheriff’s office show a Cessna off a paved runway in Telluride, Colorado, on Jan. 13, 2025. (San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office)
According to the FAA’s aircraft registry, the Cessna was owned by Mach .92 Leasing LLC out of Raleigh, North Carolina.
Federal agents from the National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA will be investigating the incident.
